led until after 4th (normal 5 out), lost 2nd at the last, (normal 3 out), soon ridden and weakened
tracked leaders, led after 4th (normal 5 out), came easily clear after omitted 2 out, (3 fences in home straight omitted both circuits due to low sun, 6 fences jumped)
pressed leader until pushed along before 5th (normal 4 out), weakened and behind when fell 2 out (normal 4 out)
tracked leaders, mistake last (normal 3 out), ridden and weakened in home straight
held up in last pair, headway tracking leaders 3 out (normal 5 out), went 2nd at the last (normal 3 out), pushed along and no impression after omitted 2 out
off the pace in last pair, behind and mistake 2nd, soon struggling, pulled up with one circuit to go
NonRunner
NonRunner
Walk In The Wild completed a double at Lingfield last month when beating Shaw's Cross by two-and-a-half lengths but the runner-up is now 5lb better off. Stanley Pincombe made the frame in his first two starts over fences but let supporters down last time at Taunton. ART OF ILLUSION was only third behind Walk In The Wild at Lingfield two runs ago but is 13lb better off and was a winner here earlier over a longer trip. The going will be testing today and that will help the top weight cope with a drop in distance.
Art Of Illusion (IRE) 15-8fav (11-13) Led, jumped left throughout, pushed along and headed home turn, weakened before last, 5th of 8, 15 1/4l behind Great D'Ange (11-9) at Huntingdon 3m hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Old Painless (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, outpaced by front pair home turn, not fluent 2 out, plugged on, never a danger, 3rd of 6, 16l behind Chianti Classico (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 5f (4) gs in Dec.
Aki Bomaye (IRE) 5-1 (11-13) Tracked leaders, hampered jumping 2nd, pushed along after 4 out and dropped away, pulled up, at Huntingdon 3m hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Walk In The Wild (FR) 5-6fav (11-8) Led, went clear before 4th, reduced lead next, headed 6th, led again after 4 out, pushed clear home turn, over 4 lengths ahead when went left last, ridden out, won at Lingfield 2m hcp (5) sft in Nov beating Shaw's Cross (10-6) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Shaw's Cross (IRE) 5-1 (10-6) Held up in last pair, headway 5th, went 2nd home turn, stayed on same pace from 3 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Walk In The Wild (11-8) at Lingfield 2m hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Milton 66-1 (10-9) Led, not fluent 12t, headed after 3 out, weakened last, 4th of 8, 12 1/4l behind Yaazaain (10-11) at Huntingdon 3m hcp (5) gd in May.
Sainte Doctor (FR) 28-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, never a factor, 8th of 11, dist behind Gemirande (11-4) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Stanley Pincombe (IRE) 7-2 (11-13) Mid-division, headway 5th, mistake 8th, outpaced 4 out, weakening when ran out 3 out, at Taunton 2m 2f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
